The holidays are upon us.  Gatherings with friends, coworkers, and families abound.  Crafting, stitching, molding (clay not bread), building, painting, writing warm greetings and shopping, we try to find the perfect gifts for those we love.

            I love the festive chaos!  It is the only time of the year that I embrace the cold.  Bundled in my warmest attire, wool coat, knit hat, gloves and scarf, I love walking through town with the brisk air about me.  I even love it in the rain, simply add galoshes.  The warmth of the shops is welcome as I pop in looking for a perfect gift, chatting with merchants and friends that I meet.  I love bundling for evenings out and snuggling on evenings in.  I would sing out with delight to awaken to my town covered in snow on Christmas morning.  (I would, of course, detest it should it not be gone the 26th.  I do truly hate being cold, fear driving on icy roads, and am quite certain that I could live my life happily on a tropical island in the sun.)

            Being the youngest of 5 children in a middleclass family, there was no Barbie Dream House under my tree.  But there were gifts for all and we were blessed.  My mother sewed into the night and headed to work in the morning.  My father was the chocolatier by evening and worked at the local newspaper by day.  My grandmother lived across the way and her house was filled with warmth and smells of cakes baking, almonds roasting or candies being made on the stove.  There were holiday parties, lists for Santa, carols being sung, and the cherished search for Santa in the sky on Christmas Eve.  (We, some how, always missed the jolly old fellow.   He would apparently come down our chimney while we were out searching the rooftops of town.)

            Our house was filled with family: aunts, uncles, cousins, oh my!  It was a joy filled chaos and I remember it warmly.   

            As I grew older, with a family of my own, I realized, as one does, that there were many in our community without: without family, without funds, without a roof over their heads or a warm bed for the night, not knowing where their next meal would be found.  So, I gave: a dollar or two to a man on the street, a warm smile of acceptance to a stranger passing, checks to charities that I knew helped those in need, gifts for those who could not afford them, a place to stay for a friend in need…  Each time I gave, it was a gift to myself, a thank you to the universe that I was able to help and to live my life with a good job, a warm home, food, family and friends.

            When we decided to create our little company, Joie de Vie Art & Word, we pledged to always give a percentage of our earnings to help the homeless.  This, and every year, we will give 5% of every purchase to help the homeless and the hungry.  Tis always the season to share the joy. 

            A special thank you to those who shared a little joy by buying, selling, and sending our Head in the Clouds cards, and to those who shared our blog and website with friends and family.  All are deeply appreciated.

            Merry Christmas, happy holidays and to all a good night.

Isabella